JP2011035563A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To timely provide a target user event data such as conference material, relevant to an event like a conference while securing confidentiality and accessibility in a high level. <P>SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, an event search section 91 searches for a target event on the basis of a holding schedule and a reference day or a reference date in an event management table 93. A distribution manual acquisition section 97 acquires a distribution manual relating to event data relevant to the target event on the basis of the target event searched by the event search section 91, an event holding manual, and user specific information. An event data management section 99 extracts event data relating to the target event from an event data box 73 and distributes an entity of the extracted event data or reference data to the entity to a user box of a target user according to the acquired distribution manual. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can provide a user with event data such as conference material related to an event such as a conference in a timely manner.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an image forming apparatus called an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having multiple functions such as copying, scanning, facsimile communication, or data communication.

  Such MFPs are known to have a box function, and an electronic document such as an image read by a scanner is stored in a predetermined storage area called a box. A user can access an electronic document stored in a box under his / her management through an operation panel or a communication network, and browse the contents or print out the contents on paper.

  As an example of an image forming apparatus having such a box function, a box capable of dividing and storing data, output means for outputting the data stored in the box, and data for setting the number of data stored in the box There has been proposed a data output control technique comprising number setting means and control means for outputting the stored data to the output means when the number of data stored in the box reaches the set number of data. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to improve user convenience when a plurality of pieces of data are stored in a box and output, or when an output start time is set for a plurality of boxes. .

  By the way, if an image forming apparatus having a box function can provide event data such as conference materials related to events such as conferences to target users in a timely manner while ensuring confidentiality and accessibility at a high level. It is not difficult to imagine that it will make a great contribution to improving user convenience. However, the present situation is that no such attempt has been made.

JP 2006-295475 A

  The problem to be solved is that in the conventional image forming apparatus having a box function, event data such as conference materials related to events such as conferences is appropriately sent to the target user while ensuring confidentiality and accessibility at a high level. It was a point that could not be provided.

An object of the present invention is to obtain an image forming apparatus capable of providing event data such as conference materials related to events such as conferences to target users in a timely manner while ensuring confidentiality and accessibility at a high level.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes an event data box, a user box, an event management table, a user management table, an event search unit, a distribution point acquisition unit, and an event data management unit. Here, event data related to the event is stored in the event data box. Confidential data for each user is stored in the user box, and the confidential data can be accessed only by the user who is the confidential destination for each confidential data. In the event management table, an event schedule including the schedule, information on attendance target users, and event data information is registered and managed in units of events. In the user management table, user-specific information including user box identification information for uniquely identifying the user box is registered and managed for each user. The event search unit searches for the target event based on the event schedule and the reference date or the reference date and time of the event management table. The distribution point acquisition unit acquires a distribution point related to distribution of event data related to the target event based on the event holding point corresponding to the target event and the user-specific information. The event data management unit extracts event data related to the target event from the event data box, and uses the extracted event data entity or reference data to the entity as the confidential data in accordance with the acquired distribution procedure Deliver to the user box of the target user.

  By adopting the above configuration, the present invention can provide event data such as conference materials related to events such as conferences to target users in a timely manner while ensuring confidentiality and accessibility at a high level. An image forming apparatus that contributes to improved convenience can be obtained.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an event data distribution system using an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and its periphery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an event management table in which the event holding point was registered and managed per event. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a user management table by which the user specific information was registered and managed per user. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the event data relevant to the target event extracted from the event data box are each delivered to the user box of a target user.

  Event data related to events for the purpose of obtaining an image forming apparatus that can provide event data such as conference materials related to events such as conferences to target users in a timely manner while ensuring confidentiality and accessibility at a high level. Is realized by a configuration that distributes to the user box of the target user of the event as needed according to the date of the event.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and an event data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Schematic Configuration of Event Data Distribution System According to Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an event data distribution system using the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the event data distribution system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 3 and a plurality of client apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as “user terminals”) 7-1, 7-2, and 7 respectively possessed by a plurality of users. -3, 7-4, 7-5... And the electronic mail server 9 are connected via an intranet network (communication medium) 5. The intranet network 5 is a computer network constructed by using Internet standard technology within a limited range such as in a business office.
[Schematic Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus and its periphery according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an event management table in which event holding points are registered and managed in units of events, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a user management table by which the user specific information was registered and managed per user.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 3 can copy, print output, facsimile communication, data transmission (function of transmitting image data read by a scanner to an external terminal via a network) or a document box. Can be used, and is controlled by the main control unit 11.

  The main control unit 11 is a computer having an information processing function, and comprehensively controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 3.

  As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and responsible for various functions, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a scanner 21, a print engine 41, an operation panel 51, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 71, and an NIC. (Network Interface Card) 81 is provided.

  The scanner 21 reads an image from a document and outputs image data corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 31.

  The print engine 41 prints an image on paper using image data or the like image-processed by the image processing unit 31 (details of the image processing unit 31 will be described later).

  The operation panel 51 is used for a user to perform operations related to various functions that can be used in the image forming apparatus 1, and gives an operation command or the like by the user to the main control unit 11.

  The NIC 81 controls transmission / reception of various data to / from user terminals 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5... Connected via the intranet network 5.

  An HDD (Hard disk drive) 71 is a storage device that stores event data, confidential data for each user, and a management table for managing these data. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the HDD 71 is provided with storage areas for an event data box 73, a user box 75, an event management table 92, and a user management table 95. Here, in the event data box 73, event data (for example, conference material) related to the event (for example, conference) is stored in a state of being concealed from the user (except for the system administrator). Here, the event data is image or document data read by the scanner 21 or transmitted from the user terminals 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5,. It is. Further, confidential data distributed to each user is stored in the user box 75, and the confidential data can be accessed only for the user who has become the confidential destination for each confidential data. The user box 75 is provided with a user authentication function using, for example, a password or an IC card in order to restrict access to confidential data by a third party.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the event management table 93 includes an event name (including the concept of an event ID), a schedule, a place, information on users to be attended (participant's department, attendee, etc.), and event data information. An event holding procedure including a material ID and the like and a status flag (representing the event data distribution processing status) is a table registered and managed in units of events. A user such as an event organizer inputs an event holding procedure in the event management table 93 from the operation panel 51 or his / her user terminal (7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5). Can be registered together with the event data via the NIC 81.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the user management table 95 includes a user name (including the concept of a user ID), a user box ID (identification information for uniquely identifying a user box), a department, a format setting (at the time of data distribution) ), Print settings (set whether printing of distributed event data is necessary), communication settings (type of communication means (such as e-mail or IP Messenger) when event data distribution completion notification is sent) ) And deletion settings (setting whether or not to delete the target data at a predetermined timing such as after printing or after the end of the event) are stored in the user management table 95. This is a table registered and managed in units of users. Each user or system administrator can input event data from the operation panel 51, or event data from his / her user terminal (7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 ...). At the same time, it can be transmitted via the NIC 81 for registration.

  The main control unit 11 is a computer having an information processing function, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The CPU is an arithmetic processing unit that sequentially executes processes according to the description of the program. The ROM is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and the like. The RAM is a memory that temporarily stores the program and various data when the program is executed.

  The main control unit 11 functions as the image processing unit 31, event search unit 91, distribution point acquisition unit 97, and event data management unit 99 by executing a program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image processing unit 31 performs predetermined image processing on the data output from the scanner 21 or the NIC 81 and outputs the data to the print engine 41 or the NIC 65.

  The event search unit 91 searches for the target event based on the event schedule and the reference date or the reference date and time (current date and time in the embodiment) of the event management table 93. Specifically, for example, the event search unit 91 selects a target event whose holding schedule comes after a predetermined time (for example, a time that can be appropriately changed, such as 3 hours) from the current date and time, The search is performed by referring to the item of the schedule of the event management table 93 using the search date as the date and time when the predetermined time is added to the current date and time.

  The distribution point acquisition unit 97 distributes event data related to the target event based on the target event searched by the event search unit 91, the event holding point of the event management table 93, and the user specific information of the user management table 95. The distribution procedure and various setting information included in the user-specific information are acquired.

  The event data management unit 99 extracts event data in accordance with the distribution procedure acquired by the distribution procedure acquisition unit 97 from the event data box 73, and the extracted event data or reference data that enables access to this event data ( (Referred to as shortcut or alias) is distributed as the confidential data to the user box 75 of the target user according to the distribution procedure.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus According to Embodiment]
The operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 exemplifying a case where the current date and time is (2009.09.02 07:00).

  FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates how event data related to the target event extracted from the event data box is delivered to the user box of the target user. It is explanatory drawing which shows.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the event search unit 91 acquires the current date and time based on the calendar function of the main control unit 11 (step S11), and at a predetermined time on the acquired current date and time (2009.09.02 07:00). The target event is searched by referring to the item “schedule” of the event management table 93 using the date and time (2009.09.02 10:00) added with (3 hours) as a search key (step S12).

  As a result of the search in step S12, if the target event is not searched (“No” in step S13), the event search unit 91 returns the process flow to step S11 and repeats the following process.

  On the other hand, as a result of the search in step S12, when a target event (in this embodiment, “development 1 section meeting” corresponds to the target event) is searched (“Yes” in step S13), the distribution point acquisition unit 97 Of the various items described in the record field of the searched target event “Development Section 1 Meeting”, refer to the data in each table for information on the distribution procedure for which event data should be distributed to which user (Step S14).

  That is, the distribution point obtaining unit 97 first obtains from the item “Attendees” in the event management table 93 that the target user is “Development 1 Section” and the material ID “20090902_001” for identifying event data. Next, the distribution point acquisition unit 97 refers to the item “affiliation department” of the user management table 95 by using the target user “development 1 section member” as a search key, so that the user name related to the target user (in this embodiment, the user 7-1, 7-3 and 7-5 correspond to user names), user box IDs (in this embodiment, user boxes 7-1, 7-3 and 7-5 correspond to user box IDs), The distribution procedure (format setting) unique to each user and information on the processing content generated by the distribution (each information of print setting, communication setting, and deletion setting) are acquired.

  In response to the information such as the distribution procedure acquired in step S14, the event data management unit 99 selects a target event to which the material ID “20090902_001” is assigned from among a plurality of event data stored in the event data box 73. Related event data (in this embodiment, “development section 1 meeting material” corresponds) is extracted (step S15).

  Next, the event data management unit 99 stores the event data (development section 1 meeting material) related to the target event extracted in step S15 in each user box of the target user (users 7-1, 7-3 and 7-5). Distribution is made to (user boxes 7-1, 7-3 and 7-5) (step S16).

  Prior to the event data distribution in step S16, the event data management unit 99 refers to the format setting information for each target user (users 7-1, 7-3, and 7-5) as necessary. Event data can also be distributed after data format conversion.

  In this embodiment, if the original format of the event data is a text format, the event data management unit 99 keeps the text format for the users 7-1 and 7-3 and the PDF (Portable for the user 7-5. Event data will be distributed after conversion to Document Format).

  After the event data distribution in step S16 is completed, the event data management unit 99 determines the target user (users 7-1, 7-3, and 7-5) according to the communication setting information included in the distribution procedure information acquired in step S14. A notification of the completion of distribution is sent through the NIC 81 together with the event holding procedure (schedule, location, information on attendance target users) (step S17). In this embodiment, the event holding procedure and the notification of the completion of distribution are performed by e-mail to the users 7-1 and 7-3 among the target users and IP Messenger to the users 7-5.

  Next, the event data management unit 99 refers to the print setting information for each target user (users 7-1, 7-3, and 7-5), thereby issuing a print output command related to the event data that has been distributed in step S16. The image is output to the image processing unit 31 (steps S18 to S19).

  In this embodiment, since the print-on setting has been made for the users 7-1 and 7-3, a print output command is executed. That is, the image processing unit 31 processes the event data in the event data box 73 for printing in accordance with the print output command, and outputs it to the print engine 41. The print engine 41 receives the output from the image processing unit 31 and prints two sets of event data for the users 7-1 and 7-3. On the other hand, for user 7-5, the print-off command is not output because the print-off setting has been made.

  Next, the event data management unit 99 is set as a deletion target by referring to the deletion setting information for each target user (users 7-1, 7-3 and 7-5) regarding the target event from the user management table. A process of deleting event data in the specified range from the event data box 73 at a set timing is executed (steps S20 to S21).

  In this embodiment, if event data distributed to each user box (user boxes 7-1, 7-3, and 7-5) is set as a range to be deleted, Since the deletion on (1S: meaning 1 second later) is set, the event data in the user box 7-1 is deleted at a timing 1 second (immediately) after the print output time. Also, since deletion on (1W: meaning one week later) is set for user 7-3, the event data in user box 7-3 is scheduled to be deleted at the timing one week after the print output. Is done. Since the user 7-5 is set to delete off, the event data in the user box 7-5 is not deleted.

  Incidentally, the deletion on (1D) setting of the user 7-2 means that the event data of the user box 7-2 is reserved for deletion at the timing one day after the print output, and the user 7-4 Deletion on (1M) setting means that the event data in the user box 7-4 is reserved for deletion at the timing one month after the print output time.

  In addition to the event data distributed to each user box (user boxes 7-1, 7-3, and 7-5), the event data in the event data box 73 that is the distribution source is set as a deletion target. If the event data has been deleted, the event data management unit 99 deletes the original event data of the distribution source at the timing when the event data in the user boxes of all the target users is deleted.

  After executing printing or deletion (reservation) in steps S18 to S21, the event data management unit 99 returns the processing flow to step S11 and repeatedly executes the following processing.

[Effect of Example]
In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the event search unit 91 searches for the target event based on the schedule of the event management table 93 and the reference date or the reference date (current date in the embodiment). The distribution point acquisition unit 97 acquires a distribution point related to distribution of event data related to the target event, based on the event holding point corresponding to the target event searched by the event search unit 91 and the user-specific information. Then, the event data management unit 99 extracts event data related to the target event from the event data box 73, and uses the extracted event data entity or reference data to the entity as the confidential data, the acquired distribution procedure. Deliver to the user box of the target user according to

  The user box is commonly used as a confidential data storage tool under the management of each user. By distributing event data such as conference materials to these user boxes in a timely manner, event data such as conference materials related to events such as conferences can be addressed to target users while ensuring confidentiality and accessibility at a high level. It is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that can be provided in a timely manner and that contributes to improving user convenience.

  In addition, when an event data configuration that is concealed from each user is employed, provision of event data limited to the target user can be realized. As a result, it is possible to provide event data such as conference materials related to events such as conferences to target users in a timely manner while ensuring confidentiality, confidentiality, and accessibility at a high level. A forming device can be obtained.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the target management unit includes a configuration of a user management table including communication settings as user-specific information, a configuration of a distribution point acquisition unit that acquires the communication setting information, and a communication unit according to the setting information. A configuration of an event data management unit that sends a delivery completion notification to the user may be adopted. In this case, event data distribution completion notification is sent to the target user by communication means adapted to the convenience of each target user. The target user who has received the completion notice can recognize the existence and outline of the event through browsing the event data or the like (remember it if forgotten). As a result, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that contributes to improving user convenience in the sense that event data delivery completion notification serves as a reminder.

  Moreover, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the user management table including the format setting as the user-specific information, the configuration of the distribution point acquisition unit that acquires the format setting information, and the data format according to the setting information A configuration of an event data management unit that distributes event data entity or reference data to the entity to the user box of the target user may be adopted. In this case, event data in a data format suited to the convenience of each target user can be distributed to each target user. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that contributes to improving the convenience of the user in the sense that it is possible to save the trouble of data format conversion on each target user side.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the user management table including print settings as user-specific information, the configuration of the distribution point acquisition unit that acquires the print setting information, and the setting information are set to print on. In some cases, a configuration of an event data management unit that outputs a print output command of the event data may be employed. In this case, it is possible to realize a print output setting adapted to the circumstances of each target user, such as no need for print output because event data is copied and viewed on a portable notebook PC. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that meets the demand for resource saving in the sense that it is possible to save the printing output of useless materials as much as possible.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the user management table including the deletion setting as the user specific information, the configuration of the distribution point acquisition unit that acquires the deletion setting information, and the setting information is the deletion on setting A configuration of an event data management unit that deletes target data according to the setting information at a timing according to the setting information may be adopted. In this case, it is possible to realize the deletion of the event data to be deleted, the range of which is set according to the timing adapted to the circumstances of each target user. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that meets the demand for optimization of information storage resources in the sense that exhaustion of information storage resources due to use of useless materials can be avoided.

[Others]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention read from the claims and the entire specification or the technical idea, and image formation accompanied by such changes Devices are also encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the “reference date or reference date / time” is the current date / time. However, an event organizer or the like inputs an arbitrary date or date / time before the event from the operation panel 51, and the “reference date or reference date / time” It may be “date and time”.

  In the above-described embodiment, event data, confidential data for each user, and a management table for managing these data are stored in the HDD 71. However, other rewritable nonvolatile memory such as flash memory (registered trademark) is used. May be used.

  The event data, confidential data for each user, event holding procedure, and user-specific information may be stored and registered in the HDD 71 via a USB port or a memory slot using a USB memory or various memory cards.

  In addition, as a matter of course, the “user” in the embodiment of the present invention includes an individual user, for example, a department user that comprehensively means a member of a certain department is included in the concept. Absent.

11 Main control unit 71 HDD
73 Event data box 75 User box 91 Event search unit 93 Event management table 95 User management table 97 Distribution point acquisition unit 99 Event data management unit

Claims (6)

An event data box where event data related to the event is stored;
A user box that stores confidential data for each user, and that can access the confidential data only to users who are confidential destinations for each of the confidential data;
An event management table in which an event schedule including information on the schedule, attendance target users, and event data is registered and managed in units of events;
A user management table in which user-specific information including user box identification information for uniquely identifying the user box is registered and managed in units of users;
An event search unit for searching for a target event based on a schedule and a reference date or a reference date and time of the event management table;
Based on the event holding procedure corresponding to the searched target event and the user-specific information, a distribution procedure acquisition unit that acquires a distribution procedure related to distribution of event data related to the target event;
Extracting event data related to the target event from the event data box, and using the extracted event data entity or reference data to the entity as the confidential data, addressed to the user box of the target user according to the acquired distribution procedure The event data management section to deliver to
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The event data stored in the event data box is concealed from the user.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The user management table includes communication settings as the user specific information,
The distribution point acquisition unit acquires the communication setting information,
The event data management unit sends a delivery completion notification to the target user by communication means according to the setting information.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The user management table includes a format setting as the user specific information,
The distribution point acquisition unit acquires the format setting information,
The event data management unit distributes the entity of the event data in a data format according to the setting information or reference data to the entity to the user box of the target user.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The user management table includes a print setting as the user specific information,
The distribution point acquisition unit acquires the print setting information,
The event data management unit outputs a print output command of the event data when the setting information is a print-on setting;
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The user management table includes a deletion setting as the user specific information,
The distribution point acquisition unit acquires the deletion setting information,
The event data management unit deletes the target data according to the setting information at a timing according to the setting information when the setting information is set to delete on.
An image forming apparatus.